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Ferrovie dello Stato (FS): 1969-2003
Rete Ferroviaria (RFI)/Bluvia: 2003-
 
Page 2: 1969-
 
 
This is the second of two pages devoted to postcards and photographs of the Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) - Italian State Railways, and covers the fleet from 1969 onwards. The earlier history from 1905-68 is shown on Page 1.
 
An alphabetical list of ships shown on this page is shown below. The Table beneath gives links to complete history pages on selected individual ships. Below the table is a Fleet List in chronological order. Fast ferries are shown at the end.
 
 
A Brief History of FS Train Ferries
Italian Railways have operated train ferries to the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, although the Sardinian service did not begin until 1961. railways came to Sicily in 1860, the same year that the island joined the kingdom of Italy. As early as 1872, there were serious plans to connect Sicily to the mainland via a bridge or tunnel, but only now in the 21st Century do such ideas look like being realised, with the completion of a bridge to Messina originally being planned for 2008. Construction never started, for various reasons, and a new government in 2007 cancelled the project, despite huge investment already.
 
The Straits of Messina which separate Sicily from the mainland are only 2 miles wide at one point, although the Messina-Villa San Giovanni route is 5 miles. The service opened in 1896 with the paddlesteamers Scilla (1) and Cariddi (1). The service was nationalised, along with the Italian Railways, in 1905. Two similar paddlesteamers, Sicilia and Calabria, were added in the same year, followed by two larger screw steamers Villa (1) and Reggio (1) in 1909. Only Scilla (1) was lost in the fist war, replaced by a sister of Villa (1) and Reggio (1) in 1922, named Scilla (2). All these ships were double-ended ferries with only a single railway track. The Messina, added in 1923, had three tracks and was diesel-powered. She loaded over the bow only. In 1931, two impressive large modern ferries were added to the fleet, the Scilla (3) and Cariddi (2). They were amongst the largest train ferries in the world, and had advanced features such as diesel-electric propulsion with bridge controls.
 
An impressive new railway and maritime station was built between 1936-40, designed by Angiolo Mazzoni, more details of which are shown on this link. The train ferry fleet in 1939 consisted of Reggio (1), Villa (1), Aspromonte (1) (ex-Scilla (2)), Messina, Scilla (3) and Cariddi (2). All these were lost in the war except the Messina. Most sank in shallow water during the Allied invasion of July/August 1943, and were later raised. Messina had been in Palermo at the start of the war, and avoided the conflict, being the first to return to service in 1944. Reggio (1) returned in 1946, but was not rebuilt and was withdrawn in 1950. Scilla (3) returned looking similar to her pre-war condition, but sister ship Cariddi (2) received a more substantial rebuild and was effectively a new ship when she returned in 1953. Two new ferries were delivered in 1948, followed by two more in the early 1960s. Between 1969-73, three large 5700grt ferries were delivered - Iginia, Sibari and Rosalia. A separate page is devoted to these sisters, travel on which is like a step back to an earlier era of ferry travel. A journey on one of them is highly recommended. Two further ferries, the Scilla (4) and Villa (2) joined the fleet in 1985, along with a series of smaller "bidirezionali" ferries, mainly used for cars and passengers.
 
The Sardinian train ferry service was introduced between Civitavecchia and Golfo Aranci in 1961, with the newly-built Tyrsus and Hermaea. At the time this was the longest train ferry route in the world, at 120 nautical miles. The slightly larger Gennargentu and Gallura were added in later. Freight ferry Garibaldi joined the fleet in 1982, and Logudoro, similar to Messina ferries Scilla (4) and Villa (2), joined in 1989. The route subsequently became freight only and then closed, the last ferry Garibaldi being reported sold for scrap in 2009.
 
The marketing name for the state railways later became Trenitalia, and the shipping services were passed to the state-owned subsidiary Rete Ferroviaria (RFI) in 2003, which was marketed as Bluvia
 
 
Ships on This Page:-
Agata (1973- ) - bidirezionali
Edra (1978-95)
Enotria (2002- ) - bidirezionali
Fata Morgana (1988- ) - bidirezionali
Freccia del Peloro (19??-?? ) - hydrofoil
Garibaldi (1982- )
Iginia (1969- )
Logudoro (1988- )
Pace (1974- ) - bidirezionali
Riace (1983- ) - bidirezionali
Rosalia (1973- )
Scilla (4) (1985- )
Segesta Jet (1998- ) - fast ferry
Selinunte Jet (1999- ) - fast ferry
Sibari (1970- )
Tindari Jet (1999- ) - fast ferry
Villa (2) (1985- )

Ships on Page 1 - 1905-69:-
Aspromonte (1) (1931-1942)
Aspromonte (2) (1948-1980) later Secondo Aspromonte
Calabria (1905-1927)
Cariddi (1) (1896-1923)
Cariddi (2) (1932-1992)
Gallura (1968-2002)
Gennargentu (1965-2000)
Hermaea (1962-1999)
Messina (1923-1986)
Mongibello (1949-1995)
Reggio (1) (1909-1950)
Reggio (2) (1960-1990)
San Francesco Di Paola (1964-1998)
Scilla (1) (1896-1917)
Scilla (2) (1922-1931)
Scilla (3) (1931-1977)
Secondo Aspromonte (1948-1980) ex-Aspromonte (2)
Sicilia (1905-1933)
Tyrsus (1961-1994)
Villa (1) (1909-1979)
 
 
Associated Pages:-
Ferrovie Stato (FS) - Page 1 - Fleet History 1905-68
Messina - Details on Messina port and its ferries
Statens Järnvägar (SJ) - Swedish Railways Train Ferries
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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Table of Ship Histories
Name
Other names
 Built
 Iginia  
 1969
 Sibari  
 1970
 Rosalia  
 1972






FS Fleet List
Part 2 - From 1969
 

Iginia (1969- )
 
141.52m long - 5767 grt - 4 tracks - 95 cars - 1660 passengers - 18.8 knots
 
Iginia was the first of three larger 4-track train & car ferries delivered between 1969-72. All remain in service in 2003. She was built by Cantieri Navali del Tirreno & Riuniti, Ancona. Her sisters are Iginia Sibari and Rosalia and more photos of these ships, including deck and interior views of Sibari, are available on this link.
 
 
Postcard of Iginia entering Messina.
 
 
Enlarged view of the image from the postcard above.
 
 
Simplon Postcards release sp1288 of Iginia at Messina
Photo: © Copyright Ian Boyle
Click to open larger image in new window
 
Photograph of Iginia.
 
 
Photograph of Iginia arriving at Messina.
Photo: © Mike Tedstone, Messina, 3rd November 1997.
 
 
Photograph of Iginia arriving at Messina.
Photo: © Michael Kenyon.
 
 
Photograph of Iginia arriving at Messina.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Iginia arriving at Messina.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Sibari (1970- )
 
141.52m long - 5767 grt - 4 tracks - 95 cars - 1740 passengers - 18.8 knots
 
Sibari was the first of three larger 4-track train & car ferries delivered between 1969-72. All remain in service in 2003. She was built by Italcantieri, Castellammare. Her sisters are Iginia and Rosalia and more photos of these ships, including deck and interior views of Sibari, are available on this link.
 
 
Postcard of Sibari entering Messina with an FS hydrofoil.
 
 
Enlarged view of postcard above showing Sibari entering Messina with an FS hydrofoil.
 
 
Postcard of Sibari entering Messina with naval dockyard behind.
 
 
Simplon Postcards release sp1290 of Sibari at Messina
Photo: © Copyright Ian Boyle
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Agata (1973- )
 
 
Photo: © Mike Tedstone, Messina, 3rd November 1997.
 
 
 
 
 
Rosalia (1973- )
 
141.52m long - 5767 grt - 4 tracks - 95 cars - 1760 passengers - 18.8 knots
 
Rosalia was the third of three larger 4-track train & car ferries delivered between 1969-72. All remain in service in 2003. She was built by Cantieri Navali del Tirreno & Riuniti, Ancona. Her sisters are Iginia and Sibari and more photos of these ships, including deck and interior views of Sibari, are available on this link.
 
 
Simplon Postcards release sp1289 of Rosalia at Messina
Photo: © Copyright Ian Boyle
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Rosalia in the background, behind the bow of Iginia in the foreground. Rosalia is in the new Bluvia colours.
Fast ferry Segesta Jet is visible between them.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Rosalia, in new Bluvia colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Pace (1974- )
 
76.9m long - 1310 grt - 52 cars - 400 passengers - 13 knots
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Edra (1978-95)
 
Built in 1962, Edra was bought to operate between Messina and Reggio Calabria. She was withdrawn in 1994, and sold the following year to Scilla Holiday Line.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Garibaldi (1982- )
 
Garibaldi was built in 1982 as a freight ferry for the Civitavecchia-Golfo Aranci route.
 
 
Garibaldi at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Robert Beveridge
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Garibaldi at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Robert Beveridge
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Garibaldi at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Robert Beveridge
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Garibaldi at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Martin Lear, November 2007
Click to open larger image in new window


Garibaldi laid up at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009
Garibaldi - Bluvia - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009


Garibaldi laid up at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009
Garibaldi - Bluvia - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009


Garibaldi laid up at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009
Garibaldi - Bluvia - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009


Garibaldi laid up at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009
Garibaldi - Bluvia - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009


Garibaldi laid up at Civitavecchia
Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009
Garibaldi - Bluvia - Photo: © Ian Boyle, 24th August 2009





Riace (1983- )
Fata Morgana (1988- )
 
102.00m long - 2377 grt - 3 tracks - 79 cars - 500 passengers - 15.2 knots
 
Two "bidirezionali" car+train ferries built by Fincantieri, Palermo.
 
 
Photograph of Riace.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Riace carrying freight wagons.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Riace loading cars.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Scilla (4) (1985- )
 
145.00m long - 5619 grt - 4 tracks - 150 cars - 1200 passengers - 20.6 knots
 
 
Postcard of Scilla (4) leaving Messina.
 
 
Photograph of Scilla (4).
Photo: © Mike Tedstone, Messina, 3rd November 1997.
 
 
Photograph of Scilla (4).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Scilla (4).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Scilla (4).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Scilla (4).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Scilla (4).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Scilla (4).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Villa (2) (1985- )
 
145.00m long - 5619 grt - 4 tracks - 150 cars - 1200 passengers - 20.6 knots
 
 
Photograph of Villa (2).
 
 
Photograph of Villa (2).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Villa (2).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Villa (2).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Villa (2).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photograph of Villa (2).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
Logudoro (1988- )
 
145.00m long - 5619 grt - 4 tracks - 150 cars - 1200 passengers - 20.6 knots
 
 
Photograph of Logudoro.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 28th August 2002.
 
 
Photograph of Logudoro.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 28th August 2002.
 
 
Photograph of Logudoro.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 28th August 2002.
 
 
Photograph of Logudoro.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 28th August 2002.
 
 
Early morning view of Logudoro in Bluvia colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 11th April 2004.
 
 
Logudoro in Bluvia colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 11th April 2004.
 
 
Logudoro in Bluvia colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 11th April 2004.
 
 
Logudoro in Bluvia colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 11th April 2004.
 
 
Logudoro in Bluvia colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 11th April 2004.
 
 
Logudoro in Bluvia colours.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Civitavecchia, 11th April 2004.
 
 
 
 
 
Enotria (2002- )
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Enotria and Riace (behind).
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
 
FS Fast Ferries
 
FS have run fast passenger ferries from Messina to Reggio di Calabria airport since the 1960s, originally using Rodriguez hydrofoils. Since 1999 they have used three fast monohull ferries, also by Rodriguez.
 
 
 
Freccia del Peloro
 
A typical Rodriguez hydrofoils in Messina service.
 
 
Postcard of Sibari entering Messina with an FS hydrofoil.
 
 
 
 
 
Segesta Jet (1998- )
Selinunte Jet (1999- )
Tindari Jet (1999- )
 
492 grt - 28 knots - 500 passengers
 
Three fast monohull ferries built by Rodriguez in Messina. They operate between Messina and Reggio di Calabria airport.
 
 
 
Simplon Postcards release sp1289 of Rosalia at Messina
Photo: © Copyright Ian Boyle
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Selinunte Jet and Scilla.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Selinunte Jet passing Oceana.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
Tindari Jet at Messina.
Photo: © Ian Boyle, Messina, 27th August 2003.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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